One look at the shotgun stats leaves no mistake the Broncos are trying to tailor their offense around quarterback Tim Tebow.

In the two games since Tebow has been the starting quarterback, the Broncos have been passing from the shotgun 79.7 percent of the time — a whopping 23.4 percent increase from the first five games started by Kyle Orton.

Among NFL teams, only the Baltimore Ravens, who have played from behind in each of their past two games, have thrown a higher percentage of passes from the shotgun (86.2) in that span.

Counting all plays, running and passing, the Broncos have averaged 16.7 more plays from the shotgun formation in Tebow’s two starts compared with Orton’s five starts.

Tebow was strictly a shotgun quarterback in college at Florida and struggles with the mechanics of dropping back from under center. Denver’s John Fox, known as a run- oriented head coach to the point his reputation leans toward conservatism, suddenly is Mr. Shotgun.

Much of the Broncos’ offense has included spread formations, which is all the rage in college but is rarely seen in the NFL.

“On some teams, the investment you make in the quarterback position, you want him back there to throw it, and people are a little bit leery of when he runs,” Fox said. “It’s a bigger, stronger, faster league.”

Dark anniversary.

Two years ago Tuesday, it all went wrong for the Broncos. They were 6-0 with first- year coach Josh McDaniels entering play Nov. 1, 2009, at Baltimore.

But then Mitch Berger, signed off the street by the Broncos after they released young punter Brett Kern, started shanking punts, offensive tackle Ryan Harris broke his toe, the Ravens jumped the short passing game of Orton — and the Broncos began a skid that can’t find the brakes.

The Broncos were 2-8 in their last 10 games in 2009 and missed the playoffs. They went 4-12 last season, tying for the NFL’s second-worst record. They are 2-5 this year. Add it up and the Broncos are 8-25 in the past two calendar years — the league’s worst record in that span. Next worst is St. Louis, which now employs McDaniels as offensive coordinator, at 9-24.

Needing Moore at safety.

With Quinton Carter questionable at best for Denver’s game Sunday at Oakland because of a concussion, fellow rookie Rahim Moore might return as the Broncos’ starting free safety.

Moore started the first five games but was benched in favor of Carter because of tackling struggles. Moore got the message — he had two nice unassisted tackles against the Lions.

More in Sports

Head coach Vance Joseph said Monday that receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Isaiah McKenzie both suffered ankle sprains in the team’s loss to the New York Giants. The two will miss Sunday’s game in Los Angeles and be week-to-week thereafter.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following Avalanche practice Monday at Bridgestone Arena, centers Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Jost both said they feel lucky. MacKinnon feels fortunate to have complete eyesight and Jost is happy to have escaped what could have been a broken leg.